Texas A&M’s high powered offense last season covered up the ugly fact that the Aggies had one of the nation’s worst defenses. The Aggies ranked 109th in total defense last season yielding 478 yards per game. They were 110th against the run (222 yards per game) and 88th in pass efficiency defense.

In a word, the Aggies stunk on defense. Will they show major improvement when they face USC Thursday night in Columbia? That’s one of the great unknowns about the game.

But regardless of how A&M plays on defense, USC’s offensive personnel sounded a confident tone after practice Monday night.